Apparatus for recovering gasolene from natural gases



A. B. CROSS.

APPARATUS FOR RECOVERI'NG GAS OLENE FROM NATURAL GASES.

APPLICATION EIL'ED MAR. 5. 1918.

1 ,327,906, Patented Jan. 18, 1920.

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2R a/N 7 P55 64:04 NYE 7P5: El VER m INVENTOR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW B. CROSS, OF DEI \TVE3, COLORADO.

natural gases.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple apparatus, comprising receiving means adapted to be connected with a natural gas service, and a regulator for reducing the natural pressure under which the gas enters the receiving means, whereby the temperature of the gas is reduced to such a degree that the gasolene fraction therein is released.

Further, to providea receiver,'adapted to be connected with a natural gas service, a spaced casing surrounding the receiver, and piping connecting the receiver and casing,

in which is interposed a regulator for re g vducing the natural pressure of the gas before it enters the casing surrounding the recelver,

the reduction of pressure causing a reduc-- tion in the temperature of the gas in the easing, as well as that in the receiver, to approximately the freezing point, whereby a partial condensation of the gasolene frac tion takes place in the receiver, and a further condensation in the casing, the gasolene being drawn off into a container, while the uncondensed gas in the casing is discharged or piped away for other uses.

These objects are accomplished by the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the improved apparatus; and

Fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating a modification of the invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

The numeral 1 designates a cylindrical receiver, which may be of any required length and diameter, and to one end of this receiver a pipe 2, is connected, which also connects APPARATUS FOR RECOVERING GASOLENE NATURAL GASES.

. Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J an, 13, 1920,

Application filed lllareh 5, 1918. Serial No. 220,502.

ing boxes 5, which surround the extended necessary, as it may be of any type in com mon use.

Drip pipes 10 and 11 lead from the receiver and casing, respectively, and the lower ends of these pipes are connected with a vessel or container 14, which is otherwise closedto the atmosphere, this arrangement permitting the condensation from the receiver and jacket to enter the container,-

while at the same time preventing the escape 'of gas except through' an outlet pipe 12, which is connected with the jacket, and which permits the escape of the uncondensed modified form of the invention, inwhich the receiver is surrounded by a cooling coil 13, in which anhydrous, ammonia or other suit-able liquid is expanded, thereby to insure a reduction of temperature in the receiver and casing, sufficient to condense the gasolene fraction in the as.

The coil 13 may e used in connection as. In Fig. 2, I have illustrated a slightly with theapparatus shown in Fig. 1, including the regulator, but the regulator may, under some conditions, be dispensed with, and the gas run through the receiver only, the said'coilbeing. adapted to reduce the temperature of the gas sufficiently to release the gasolene fraction.

In practice, natural gas is admitted to the receiver 1, through'the pipe 2, under natural high pressure, and passes through the elbow 6 and pipe 7 to the regulator 8, and thence, under greatly reduced pressure, it passes through the pipe 9 to the casing. The reduction of pressure and the consequent expansion of thegas causes a reduction of temperature in the casing approximately to the freezing point, while the temperature in the receiver is likewise reduced but not to the 2 same degree as that of the casing, owing to the continuous'inflow of high pressure gas. However, the temperature is sufficient to cause a partial condensation of the gasolene fraction from the inflowing gas, While a further condensation is effected in the easing, and the gasolene thus produced passes out through the drip pipes 10 and 11, to the container 14:.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

In an apparatus of the character described, acylindrical receiver, a jacket surrounding the said receiver and spaced from the same, and caps on the ends of said jacket having packing boxes through which the ends of said receiver pass, a pipe on one end of the receiver adapted to connect with a gas supply, a pressure regulator, a pipe con-v necting the opposite end of the receiver with the inlet of said pressure regulator, a pipe connectingthe outlet of the regulator with thejacket at one end thereof, an outlet pipe extending from the opposite end portion of the jacket, a tank. a drain pipe connecting the jacket and tank, and a drain pipe extending' from the receiver adjacent its outlet end, and connecting with the said tank.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANDREW B. oRoss.

' \Vitnesses:

G. SARGENT ELLIOTT, ELIZABETH SMITH. 

